DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i05.049

Pages: 1693-1697

This study aims to determine gender differences in response of blood pressure (BP)to isotonic handgrip exercise (IHG) in prehypertensive adolescents. In addition, it also aims to determine differences in recovery patterns of BP and pulse rate (PR) between genders.60 volunteers with prehypertension (male–30; female–30) participated in this study. Resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and PR of participants were recorded on arrival after 5 minutes of rest. This was followed by IHG for 20 minutes and BP, PR variables were recorded. Measurements were again recorded into the follow up period after 60 minutes. Independent t-test (p<0.05) was used to compare means of SBP, DBP, PR, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and Pulse pressure (PP) between male and female participants at rest, after 20 minutes of IHG exercise and 60 minutes post exercise. Male participants had higher resting SBP and PP as compared to their female counterparts, whereas resting values of DBP, PR and MAP were higher in females. Significant differences were observed between genders in DBP (p=0.012), PR (p=0.024), MAP (p=0.033) and PP (p=0.022) 20 minutes after IHG exercise except SBP (p=0.723).Similarly 60 minutes post exercise, male and female participants showed significant differences in DBP (p=0.009), PR (p=0.002), MAP (p=0.011) and PP (p=0.028) except SBP (p=0.507). Decline of SBP, DBP, MAP and PP were higher in males whereas decline in PR was high in females. These results suggest existence of gender differences in BP response to isotonic hand grip exercise in prehypertensives.